Grain-separator



UNTE

STATS EFF ANDREv J. VANDEGRIFT, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

GRAIN-SEPARATOR.

To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I. ANDREW J. VANDE- Gnrrr, of St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented a new and improved machine for separating .impurities from grain, the same being applicable for hulling certain kinds of grain; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference beingY had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a vertical section of my invention, taken in the line Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same, taken in the line y, y, Fig. I. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the same taken in the line e', Fig. 2. Fig. 4t is a vertical section of the same taken in the line 11', an, Fig. Q. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section of the same taken in the line y. J. Fis 2- Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures This invention relates to that class of machines for scouring, cleaning and separating grain from impurities, and detaching and separating the hulls therefrom in which the fan is used to produce an exhaust or suction blast. This class of machines, as heretofore constructed are imperfect in many respects; firstly, the scouring devices have been so arranged as to operate in a very inefficient manner, some grains or kernels escaping the action of the scourer, while others would be subjected to an undue action of the same and be broken; secondly, the employment or use of materials, combined or arranged in such a way as to produce bad results, as, for instance, the employment of French bur stone for a scouring surface without the employment of suitable fines to carry off the dust and prevent clogging or choking; thirdly, a defect in the arrangement of air-passages, whereby the blast is made to act in an ineflicient manner in passing through the machine; fourthly, due provision not being made for the taking of the machine apart so as to render all parts accessible for the ready repairing and cleansing of the same, and to facilitate transportation.

The object of the within described invention is to obviate these difficulties, by a simple durable and economical machine.

To enable those skilled in the art to fully understand and construct my invention I will proceed to describe it.

A (Figs. l, 2 and 5) is a pulley which is placed on the lower part of a -shaft B, to which motion is given by any convenient power. On the upper end of this shaft B, there is placed a grooved pulley C, from which motion is transmitted to a corresponding grooved pulley I), at the upper end of a fan-shaft E, (shown in Figs. 2 and Ll) by three round belts or bands a, a, a, which are shown clearly in Fig. 2. The object of these three bands is to obtain an increase of friction sufficient to prevent slipping--a result which could not be obtained by an ordinary Hat belt, owing to the close proximity of the two pulleys C, D. The fan F, of shaft E, maybe of usual construction.

G is a flue which is built in with the front part of the body of the machine.

H is a small hopper which is located at the upper end of the Hue G, and supports the upper end of feed-tube I, placed within Hue G. At the lower end of tube I is a feed-plate said plate being attached to a sleeve or nut c, which forms a` coupling in shaft B, the latter being made in two parts.

J is a concave or basin secured upon shaft B, below the mouth or lower end of flue G, and is provided with a horizontal fianch, or rim (l, to the under side of which is attached a series of perforated and corrugated plates each forming a part of a circle and having their ends lapped, and placed between Vsuitable bearings f, with rods f', passing through them and the flanch (Z, securing them firmly to said flanch, the plat-es f, and bearings f, being so fitted and arranged as to form a continuous spiral and corrugated ledge in a circle corresponding with flanch as shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 2; this spiral ledge being lined with the perforated sheet-iron lining or cylinder 6, properly secured in combination with basin J, forms a revolving cylinder. The above described cylinder is encompassed by a cylinder K, which is formed at top and bottom by two semicircular flanches ff, ff, of cast-iron, cast with, and fast to each of the lower semicircular flanches fi, is a hollow longitudinal section y, of a circle which is filled with French bur, or other suitable stone m, the stones occupying positions opposite each other in cylinder K, as shown clearly in Fig. 5.

The top flanches fi, are fastened to sections g, by bolts Between the ends of the bottom and top semicircular flanches fl,

ft, are pieces of wood a, standing endwise and secured by bolts running lengthwise through them from the top to the bottom flanch ff, To these pieces of wood, and standing also between said fianches is secured four longitudinal sections 71 of a circle; these sections l1., are of sheet metal, and are so cut or perforated as to form oblique slots. The sections h, are placed at opposite sides in cylinder K, and outside of section 72 is a loose curb or section gf, of a circle on each side of cylinder K. These curbs or sections are of sheet iron, and fill the space between the'sections g, that contain the stones m, on each side. These sections g, are provided with a kind of circular wood frame for `the purpose of stiifening them. They set in their place loosely, and are designed to be removed by the hand when desired. There is a space z', between sections 71 and g, said space communicating by passages j, with horizontal trunks It, la, at each side of the machine, said trunks communicating attheir back ends with inclined spouts Z, Z, which lead into the lower part of chamber L. There is a requisite space left between the stone and sections z., and the corrugated ledge of the revolving cylinder e, to allow the cylinder e, to revolve without touching said stone and sections h; the bearings f, are set a little back from the edges of the perforated and corrugated plates f, and answer the double purpose of holding the plates at the proper distance apart, and an swering at the same time, as beaters knocking the grain out against the perforated sheet-iron sections 71 and the stone m; the grain is carried down by the spiral in due time and discharged through chute n, which leads from the bottom of the scouring apparatus into the lower part of flue M.

The inside of revolving cylinder e, communicates with the external air by means of an opening o, which is surrounded by a sheet-iron curb o', which extends a few inches up in the cylinder for the purpose of preventing the grain from flying out under the bottom of cylinder e, and falling down through opening 0.

Vhen the machine is in motion the rotation of the cylinder e, causes a current of air to pass up through opening 0, and be ejected through the perforations in the lin ing of cylinder c, and coming in contact with the grain in process of scouring, forces the dust and other light impurities out through the perforations in the sheet iron sections h., into the space z', where it is acted upon by the suction current drawn by the fan through trunks c, c, on each side of the machine and is carried through said trunks into chamber L.

B is a bridgetree or rest to shaft B, located just above concave J. Its ends rest on and are bolted rmly to the top semicir cular flanches ff. By unscrewing the bolts that hold the said bridgetree, making it loose from the fianches, and moving the loose curbs gf, at the sides and unscrewing the bolts that secure the lower flanch ff, to the side pieces of the frame, the front half of cylinder K, can be lifted off and then by turning the back half around in front it can also be lifted off making it easy to renew the sheet-iron sections 7L, or dress the stones m, m, without disturbing the rest of the machine.

Hopper H, answers the double purpose of hopper and deflector for the purpose of dividing the uprising current of air into two parts, and throwing half of the current on each side through openings into side passages or ducts p, p, thereby preventing an eddy on either side of tube I, in flue Gr; flue M, has a similar deflector am, in its upper end made of sheet-iron or other material it also throws one-half of the uprushing current of air to each side into side passages or ducts p, p, which connect with chamber L, below the fan box.

The tube I, is constructed with a slip joint ci", at its lower end, which is immediately above the feed plate B, and it is provided with a conical shell c2, the lower end of which has an area equal to plate b, and below plate b, and concentric with shaft B, there is a similar shell (Ff. The object of these shells is to contract the space at the lower end of flue G, and give greater strength to the draft at that point. The slip joint eff, is held in proper position, and adjusted as desired by means of a cross bar citi, which passes horizontally through flue Gr, and has thumb nuts on its ends outside of said flue. As bar effl, `is adjusted up, or down, or lat-- erally the lower end of tube I, is correspondingly adjusted, said bar being'properly attached to the slip joint of said tube.

The side passages p, p, are spaces left on each side of flues G, and M, between the upper ends of flues G and M, to the main chamber L, which is situated immediately under the fan-box containing the fan; this chamber L, has an area equal to that of all of the flues together, and receives the air from all of them.

Flue M, is located back of flue G, and the scouring apparatus and between flue Gr, and the chamber L. Flue M, receives the grain from the scouring apparatus, at its bottom the purpose of cleaning the oflal after having been thrown from the first flues G, and M, into chamber L, the said offal passing down on the inclined floor of chamber L, and out through valve ai, into flue P, where it is operated upon by the suction draft passing up through said flue. The flue P, is connected, at the top or upper end, with chamber L, by means of an opening r, which is provided with a slide ri, for the purpose of regulating the strength of the draft in flue P, as desired. Flue P, is also provided with a short turn at its upper part, and a pocket for the reception of the otfal drawn up by the draft through said flue, which pocket is provided with a valve to allow the ott'al to pass off through a spout attached.

The fan case N, ismade to communicate with chamber L, by means of an opening in the lower part of said fan case; this opening is provided with two dampers, as slides g, g, (see Fig. el) which are located iinmediately under the fan-case or box, and are adjusted by means of two wires extending out through the side, one being on each side of the machine. As these slides are adjusted the draft through the entii'e machine is proportionately strengthened or weakened.

There are two partitions or cross boards 5*, 0*, each resting on the top of tiue M; b* is inclined toward flue G. and prevents the uprushing current of air in iiue G, from =counteracting the current in flue M, and

throws the current downward toward the inclined Hoor of side passages y?, 7). Partition 0*, rests on the opposite side from I), of flue M, and forms a support for the fan case, and prevents the current of air rushing up through flue M, from passing directly into the fan-case N. Both partitions 5*, 0*, extend entirely across the body of the machine and are rmly attached to the sides.

All of the flues have their respective communications with chamber L, which has its connection with the fancase N. The rotation of the fan N, forms a partial vacuum in chamber L, to supply which the air rushes in through all of the flues which communicate with the external air at their lower ends the strength of the draft being regulated by the dampers and slides previously described.

All the bearings or supports of shafts B, and E. are suspended or supported by iron bridgetrees away from the wood to prevent danger of fire from the heating of journals, should they be allowed to run too long without oil.

The framing of the implement, or body of the machine which sustains the flues, etc., is made in two parts, and the flue P, chamber L. and flue M, are also divided in the same plane indicated b v the line lfm. This division is important as it admits of the removal of the upper part of the machine from the lower part, and renders all parts of t-he device accessible for cleaning, repairing, etc. It is in order to admit of this removal of the upper part of the machine that the shaft B, is made in two parts connected by the sleeve c, as previously described.

The scouring apparatus may be used independently of the suction iues for the purpose of hulling buckwheat and other kinds of grain.

The operation of the machine is as follows: Motion is given to shaft B, by any convenient power and motion is transmitted from shaft B, to fan shaft E, by means of round belts c, a, c, passing around pulleys C, and D. The rotation of the fan forms a partial vacuum in chamber L, causing a strong suction blast. to rush up through all of the flues to supply it. In the meantime the grain is subjected to said suction currents in the several parts of the machine, and also to the action of the scouring apparatus as follows: The grain passes in at small hopper H, and down tube I, in flue Gr, and coming in contact with feed-plate b, which by its rotation, throws the grain oft' from it horizontally, exposing it in a thin sheet to the current of air rushing up through flue G, which current extracts all of the light foreign matter, the grain falls down and is received by the scouring apparatus, where, by the rotation of concave or basin J, it is thrown outward horizontally through the space between the flanch or rim of said basin and the upper semi-circular lanches fi, f, thence coming in contact with the scouring surface of the outside cylinder K, which is formed alternately of French bur and perforated and corrugated sheet-iron plates, then rebounding and coming in contactwith the corrugated spiral ledge or plates f, then being struck by the bearing f, the grain is again thrown out against the rough surface of the inside of cylinder K. The grain is thus kept continually vibrating first coming in contact with one rough surface, and then with the other until it is gradually passed down to the bottom of the scouring apparatus, its descent being determined by the spiral ledge. It is then discharged. from the scouring apparatus, passing down chute n, in the lower part of flue M, where it comes in contact with a second uprushing current of air, which extracts all 0f the remaining light impurities; the grain now being clean is discharged at the bottom of the flue M, and passes away from the machine.

There is a strong current of air drawn through flues or trunks 7c, r, one being located on each side, and passing under the scouring apparatus, this current is for the purpose of carrying the smut and dust and other light particles away from the scouring apparatus; this dust, etc., is ejected during the scouring process through the perforations in the perforated sheet-iron sections ZL, into space z', between said section Zt, and the loose curbs 9*, and is drawn down through openings j, into horizontal trunks 7c, Za, passing on from the back end of said trunks up inclined spouts Z, Z, and into the main chambers L. To insure a good strong current of air in the trunks 7s, Ze, the outer ends are kept partially open in addition to the openings j, which communicate with space z'. The trunks 7c, le, are provided with slides underneath so that they may be easily opened and cleaned.

The air that is drawn through Hue Gr, passes in at the bottom of said Hue and between it and the top of the scouring apparatus, as shown by the black arrows. This blast passing up through the thin sheet of grain thrown out horizontally across it by feed plate b, passes on up through Hue G, carrying with it the light impurities, and is divided into two parts, hopper H, acting as a deHector, and is thrown to thev right and left through openings pti, 2f, into side passages p, p, the air with the lightest of the dust, etc. passing still farther into chamber L, and thence out through the fan, while the heavier particles such as chess, light grains of wheat, etc., carried up Hue G, by said current is thrown on the inclined bottoms of passages p, 29, thence passing down said inclines into chamber L, falling on the inclined bottom of said chamber, and passing out through valve a', into Hue P. rlhe air that is drawn through Hue M, passes in at the bottom of said Hue, as shown in Fig. 2, and passing up through the grain being discharged from the scouring apparatus into said Hue, extracts and carries up with it all of the light particles that may have been remaining after the process of scouring. This current passing up Hue M, is divided at the top of said Hue by the deHector am, and is thrown also to the right and left through openings into the side passages 20, p. The heaviest of the particles carried up by it fall down and mix with those from Hue G, and have the same exit. The air also mixing in side passages p, p, with that of Hue Gr, and passing off through the fan as above stated.

The partitions 5*, reaching across the ma- Board 0*, prevents the air from passing directly into the fan; it also forms a support for the fan-case. The fan-case is set in and firmly secured at the top of the back part of the machine, and immediately over, and communicating with chamber L, as previously described-see Fig. 2.

The oHal passing from the chamber L, through valve a, into Hue P, is acted upon by the suction current, drawn through said Hue P, and the lightest of the offal is carried up said Hue and deposited in the pocket s, the air passing farther and through the opening 1', into the chamber L, while the best of the oifal being thoroughly separated passes off from the machine at the bottom of Hue P.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. The plates f, and bearings f, forming the perforated and corrugated spiral ledge with bolts or rods f, passing through and securing them to the rim or Hanch cZ, of concave J, with perforated and corrugated lining c, combined Ato form the revolving cylinder e, communicating with opening o, arranged relatively with cylinder K, and operated in the manner, and for the purpose set forth.

2. The hollow cast iron longitudinal sections g, filled with stone m, in connection with the longitudinal perforated sections Zt, and loose or movable curbs or sections gi, combined and arranged relatively with semicircular' Hanches ff, f* all forming a cylinder K, and arranged relatively with cylinder c, and communicating with chute n, and trunks 7c, 7c, to operate as and in the manner set forth.

3. The hopper and deHector H, and the de- Hector am, dividing the current in the Hues G, and W, and throwing half on each side through openings in the side passages p, p, all being constructed and arranged substantially as and for the purpose specified.

t. The cross-bar ci, by which the lower end and slip oint of tube I, may be adjusted laterally, as well as up and down as desired, when arranged as set forth.

5. The Hues P, chamber L, Hues M, and G, in connection with side passages p, p, deHectors H, am, and trunks 7c, le, arranged relatively with each other, the fan and fanbox N, the scouring apparatus, and shafts B, E, to operate as and for the purpose set forth.

ANDREW J. VAN DEGRIFT. Witnesses:

O. P. SAYLOR, ADoLPH DEHNER. 

